History

[ A Manuscript Valuation of Ecclesiastical Preferments and Royal Patronages in England and Wales]

Author: 
Anon.
Publication details: 
Circa 1700.
£750.00

Manuscript, 221pp., 4to, recased, qtr lea., marbled boards, worn. The Index in the front lists the preferments in the bestowal of twenty-six Bishops from Canterbury to Durham (pp. 1-123), the Dean of Lincolnshire, the Duke of Devonshire, Earl of Burlington, the Duke of Rutland (pp.124-129), Royal Patronages in forty-eight Counties, pp.131-221 (incl. "Dignities in the Royal Patronage", pp.135-141). The body of the work gives details of the above including columns of figures headed "First Fruits". Two printed works have a relationship with this manuscript.

Document Signed by Rouland and de Berty, Administration des Cultes. Decret.

Author: 
Rouland, Ministre Secretaire . . . [and] Nigon de Berty, [Pour] Le Conseiller d'EtatDirecteur general de l'Administration des Cultes
Publication details: 
Vichy [in ms.], 10 July 1861.
£56.00

Part printed, a decree in the name of Napoleon, one page, folio, slightly chipped, faintly foxed but clear and complete, decree in manuscript as follows: La nomination faite par L'Archeveque de Paris de l'abbe [Bour?](Michel), aumonier de Ste Perine a Chaillot, au canonicat vacant dans son eglise metropolitaine par la promotion de M. L'abbe Ravinet a l'Eveche de Troyes, est agree." WITH: an official copy of the confidential letter from the Archbishop of Paris describing the circumstances of the promotion and recommending Bour.

A List of the Wardens Assistants and Livery of The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London.

Author: 
The Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, London.
Publication details: 
London; 1859 [carried on in manuscript to 1862].
£180.00

12mo. In original worn red morocco binding, gilt, with loose front free endpaper. Good, with EXTENSIVE MANUSCRIPT CORRECTIONS AND ADDITIONS. Eight blank leaves bound in front and back, on which are laid down forty-nine illustrations of arms of London livery companies, each approximately one and a half inches square, and apparently dating from the mid-eighteenth century.

Autograph Letter Signed to an unnamed correspondent.

Author: 
Edouard Servan de Sugny.
Publication details: 
Cessy, pres Gex, 15 Juillet 1850
£150.00

Author/translator of "La Muse ottomane ou chefs-d'oeuvre de la poésie turque" (Paris, 1853). Three pages, 8vo, good condition. He thanks his correspondent for a copy of "l'Anthologie arabe de M. Grangeret de Lagrange" [first published 1828]. He explains his great interest in the book and the excellent job done by the compiler. He praises his correspondent for enriching the book with Latin and notes which derive from their discussions.

Autograph Letter Signed to James Finn.

Author: 
Stratford Canning
Publication details: 
25 September 1867; Westbrook.
£85.00

Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe, British diplomat (1786-1880; DNB), for many years Ambassador to the Sublime Porte. The recipient, James Finn (died 1872), was British consul at Jerusalem from 1849–1858. 2 pages, 16mo. In good condition. He has sent his correspondent's 'memorandum respecting Abyssinia' to Lord Stanley, 'who is a better judge than I can presume to be of any advantage which might result from putting into practice the suggestions it contains'. He has 'a due sense of the confidence you have shewn me'. Signed 'Stratford de R.'

Printed Exchequer Receipt, with Manuscript insertions, and Autograph Signature.

Author: 
William Bouverie, 1st Earl of Radnor of the Second Creation (1725-76)
Publication details: 
09/07/70
£50.00

One page. Dimensions of paper roughly thirteen inches by eight. Very good on aged paper, with slight loss at head and small closed tear (neither affecting text). Headed 'Annuity for Life, 1746.' '[...] Received the [19] Day of [July] 17[70] by me [William Earl of Radnor Asse. to Robert Lord Romney] Of George Grenville, junr. Esq; One of the Four Tellers of His Majesty's Receipt of Exchequer, the Sum of [Three hundred pounds] in full for [Six] Months Annuity, due the [fifth] Day of [July] last past, of [£600] per Annum, during the Life of [me William Earl of Radnor] [...]'.

Autograph Letters Signed (x 3) to Col. Harvey

Author: 
Margot Asquith,
Publication details: 
1913 and 1915
£300.00

Wife of Prime Minister. 2-5pp., 8vo. Extensive eulogising of her husband, H.H. Asquith, and condemnation of his enemies. (Asquith was replaced by Lloyd George in 1916.) Three items,

Autograph Letter Signed to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
George William Frederick Villiers, 4th Earl of Clarendon (1800-70)
Publication details: 
Grosvenor Crescent; 11 July 1852.
£36.00

Three pages, 12mo. Good. He did not receive the letter till his return from the continent the previous week. '"The Grove" is a comfortable mansion but there is nothing in any way remarkable about it - Clutterbuck's history of Hertfordshire contains all that is known respecting the persons who have possessed it. There is a fine collection of pictures, many of them by Vandyke & Sir P. Lely, wch. belonged to the Chancellor Clarendon & of them you will find an accurate description in the 3d. Vol. of the "Clarendon Gallery" published a few months ago by my sister Lady Theresa Lewis.

Autograph Signature on fragment of letter.

Author: 
William Ewart Gladstone (1809-98), British Liberal Prime Minister
Publication details: 
Without date or place.
£35.00

Dimensions of paper roughly four and a half inches by one and a quarter. Good, on ruckled and slightly discoloured paper, with traces of glue adhering to reverse. Reads 'Very sincerely yours | W E Gladstone'.

[ In French ] Document Signed "Linant Bey", to "Son Excellence Cherif-Sacha Mininter de l'Interieur et President du Conseil des Ministres

Author: 
Linant Bey [ Louis Linant de Bellefonds ] [Linant Pasha ]
Publication details: 
[Printed heading] Ministere des Travaux Publics, [manuscript address] Cairo, 20 May 1869
£450.00

Minister of Public Works, with a key role in the building of the Suez Canal. The document, numbered No.39 top left corner, is three pages, folio, sl. damaged but text clear and complete. He reminds his correspondent that "Son Altesse le Khedive" has appointed him "ministere des travaux publics" four months previously. He discusses "le reglement" by which decisions were to be made and the situation he finds himself in, "ne sachant au juste sur quoi appuyer mes actes officielle, je ne puis plus longtemps rester dans la vague, qui empeche toute administration.

Three Autograph Letters Signed to Mrs [?] Kent.

Author: 
John Bigelow
Publication details: 
14 March 1911, 27 April 1911, and undated.
£250.00

American diplomat and author (1817-1911), editor of Benjamin Franklin's works. All three items are very good on paper discoloured with age, though all with small punch holes for binding in upper corners, resulting to loss to six words of text. All three signed 'John Bigelow'. The second letter represents an important exposition of Bigelow's religious position at the very end of his life. LETTER ONE (14 March 1911, 21 Gramercy Park, two pages, octavo): In response to his correspondent's 'Syrenic appeal' he is sending a cheque for $25, 'at the rate of $5 for the next five years'.

ALS, Winifred Gales, wife of Joseph, to her sister in law, Sarah Gales (Sheffield, England)

Author: 
[ Joseph Gales, American journalist, friend of Joseph Priestley, fled England after advocating Thomas Paine's principles, founder of Raleigh, North Carolina, etc., etc.]
Publication details: 
2 Sept. (n.y.)
£350.00

4pp., folio, tears and other damage marginally affecting text. She writes at length about the loss of a daughter, describing her last days and the family's grief. The daughter had been heavily involved in charitable works and involved with the activities of a "Benevolent Society. She gives some other family news, including the activities and state of health of Joseph Gales and news of the community, and talks of their friend "Judge Johnson" becoming Governor of Louisiana. A very substantial letter.

Five Autograph Letters Signed to Sir Robert Gardiner, Governor of Gibraltar (1848-55)(DNB).

Author: 
Sir John Hobart Caradoc, second Baron Howden.
Publication details: 
Madrid 1851-1854.
£300.00

Minister Plenipotentiary at Madrid (1850-58?)(DNB). Total 20 pages, 8vo (4) and 4to (1), good condition. Subjects and quotes: (1851) personal loss; "Pray do not hurry yourself about the Documents. God knows there is never any hurry in this Capital!"; health trip to the Sierras; news of the Ministry which "is supposed to have acquired considerable favour at Court for leaving the Queen alone. I have been able to compress the international tendeincies of Miraflores . . . [comment on Electoral Machinery in Portugal and Democrats] ..

Twelve Autograph Letters Signed and one Typed Letter Signed to Sir Henry Trueman Wood, [Secretary,] Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Sir William James Ashley
Publication details: 
5 August 1913 to 9 September 1916; mainly on '3, YATELEY ROAD, | EDGBASTON' and University of Birmingham letterheads.
£400.00

British economic historian (1860-1927), a disciple of Arnold Toynbee, and proponent of the historical method pioneered in Germany by such scholars as Roscher, Hildebrand and Knies. The manuscript items are all 12mo, the typed item quarto. All twelve docketed and bearing the Society's stamp, and signed 'W. T. Ashley'. The collection is in very good condition, though grubby in parts and with one or two creased corners. An interesting and characteristic correspondence. ITEM ONE (3 pages, 12mo, 5 August 1913): Declines proposal to act as examiner.

Autograph Noted Signed.

Author: 
Edmund Nagle.
Publication details: 
No place, [April 1802].
£100.00

Note trimmed with the loss of a few letters, c.7" x 6", some staining but text clear, as follows: "These are to Certify the Principa[l] officers & Commissioners of His Majestys Navy that Mr Thomas Muir served as Lieutenant onboard His Majesty's Ship Juste under my command from the 15th day of June 1801 to the date hereof during which time he complied with the General Printed Instructions & was not absent Six Weeks at any one time./ Given under my hand onboar[d] the Juste this 10th day of [in another hand] April 1802." Note added in another hand - information about Nagle.

Autograph Letter Signed "T. Belsham", to Robert Philips, Esq.

Author: 
Thomas Belsham.
Publication details: 
Essex Street, 15 Dec. 1822.
£156.00

Unitarian Divine (see DNB). Two pages, 4to, blank leaf conjoint crudely trimmed with no loss, mainly good condition. He thanks himn for a present of game and discusses health and weather. He then talks about rumours of war and Wellington saying that, as a Spanish grandee, any nation attacking Spain would find him at the head of Spanish troops.

Two autograph letters signed to William Smith, anti-slavery M.P.

Author: 
Louis-Matthieu Langles.
Publication details: 
Bibliotheque Royal, 8 April 1813 and Bibliotheque du Roi, 17 April 1814.
£120.00

Of the Bibliotheque Imperiale (Bibliotheque du roi). In French. Total 6 pages, text from verso shows through on recto, but both letters clear and complete. ITEM ONE (1813) He is looking forward to seeing Smith in Paris. General Macaulay has givcen "l'agreable asssurance". Progress made in beautifying Paris. He mentions a female author (Indecipherable to me), "celebre en France" to whom he recommends him particularly, eulogising her. Regards to wife and daughters. ITEM TWO (1814) Thanks for a letter. Smith's "sejour a Paris", happy memories and a wish for a future visit.

Letter Signed (poss.. copy) to unnamed male correspondent.

Author: 
William Blathwayt
Publication details: 
Hague the 8th. Novr. 1701.'
£250.00

English politician (1649?-1717); Secretary to Sir William Temple at the Hague, 1668; on diplomatic missions to Rome, Stockholm and Copenhagen; Secretary of State to William III; Member of Parliament. One page. Dimensions of paper roughly seven inches by eleven. Poor: paper discoloured and with some loss to edges (affecting three words of text) and a closed tear. Recently repaired with archival tape and at an earlier period backed with paper. Verso attached to smaller leaf of blank paper. Fourteen lines of text.

Autograph Letter Signed to 'G Remington Esq'.

Author: 
Charles Lewis Gruneisen
Publication details: 
27 September 1873; on letterhead '16, Surrey Street, | Strand. W.C. | London.'
£23.00

Journalist and musical critic (1806-79), Paris newspaper correspondent, 1839-44, who sent dispatches by pigeon. One page, 12mo. In poor condition: grubby and heavily stained. 'Dear Sir | I have been abroad or I would have replied to your note ere this. I will be at home until Noon next Monday. | Yours faithfully | [signed] | C J Gruneisen'.

Part of autograph letter signed.

Author: 
Didier Thirion [prob.].
Publication details: 
No place or date
£400.00

French revolutionary (1763-1816).

Document (secretarial) Signed "Gassendi", addressed to "Monsieur le Comte". En francais.

Author: 
Comte J.J.B. Gassendi
Publication details: 
[Printed heading: Ministere de la Guerre] 6e. Division / Bureau de l'artillerie / Poudres & Saltpetres, Paris, Le 27 Juillet 1811.
£200.00

General (1748-1828)(biography on net). One page, sm. folio, good condition.. He acknowledges a letter in which he was asked about the "plans & . . . construction du nouveau magazin des poudres [de debit?] a Paris. Le devise & le plan de ce magasin ont ete renvoyes dans le temps a Me . . . administrateurs generaux . . . Il est essential de ne pas arreter les Tarvaux de Construction de ce magasin, afin qu'ils doient terminer pendant la belle saison."

Abbreviated signature ("A.Ky") with date.

Author: 
Alexander Kerensky.
Publication details: 
26/07/21
£150.00

Sometime Russian Head of Government. Bold abbreviated signature on page, 8vo

Autograph Letter Signed to the Secretary, Royal Society of Arts.

Author: 
Richard Edward Dennett [CONGO FREE STATE]
Publication details: 
20 May 1916; on letterhead '3 PARLIAMENT HILL MANSIONS, | HIGHGATE ROAD, N.W.'
£56.00

Editor (1857-1921) of the manuscript newspaper 'Congo Mirror', who 'drew attention to irregularities in Congo Free State, 1886; [...] and accused Congo officials of murders and atrocities; with help he carried on the agitation until the Congo Reform Association was formed; in a series of letters to the African Mail entitled the Lower Congo he pointed out the injustice of the French rule and the concessionnaire system in Congo Francais' (Who's Who). Three pages, 12mo. On grey paper. Very good. Docketed in pen and green pencil.

Yr American; yn Cynwys Nodau ar Daith O Ddyffryn Ohio i Gymru golwg ar Dalaeth Ohio, Hanes Sefydliadau Cymreig yn America . . .

Author: 
B.W. Chidlaw, A.M.
Publication details: 
Llanrwst: Argraffwyd, Gan John Jones, 1840.
£800.00

48pp., 12mo, unopened save title, original green wrappers, chipped, good condition"Yr Ail Argraffiad" (Second edition - no record found of a "First"). The author, in a "Notice" (the only English in the work), says "I have disposed of my Book called "The American," to Mr. J. Jones Printer, Llanrwst, and grant to him all the right and Claim to the same. / B.W. Chidlaw, A.M. / Paddy's Run, Ohio. / Llanrwst Decr. 25, 1839. The purpose of the pamphlet is to encourage Welsh emigration to Ohio, Indiana and Illinois at an interesting time.

Autograph Letter Signed "[Seigneur?] Laffitte" to M. de Rayneval, Directeur du Chancelleries[?] aux affaires Etrangeres a Paris.

Author: 
Jacques Laffitte
Publication details: 
Paris 16 Dec. 1815.
£100.00

Banker and Politician. In French. One page, 4to, good condition. If a consul to Guernsey has not yet been appointed, he recommends David Macculloch who has a good reputation and has commercial knowledge. He would be helpful to French ships there and his nomination would suit the Governor, Sir John Doyle, who had long since requested it of their Ambassador in London. {de Reyneval prob. the diplomat in Biog. Univ.]

Autograph Letter Signed to the Baron Bignon, membre de la Chambre de Deputes.

Author: 
Jacques Laffitte.
Publication details: 
Paris, 18 May 1820.
£100.00

Banker and Politician. In French. One page, 4to, fold marks, good. He says that Bignon has reached the limits which he suggested in a letter, and they have sold "en bourse" "[F?] 2025 de Rentes a 74 t produisent ......F29,9709= . . ." He adds the figures for commission and "Courtage". He adds that the Baron has been debited a certain sum, paid to the "porteur de votre [nom?]".

Etched portrait, by W (?) Burton

Author: 
William Ewart Gladstone [W. Burton]
Publication details: 
[1889].
£20.00

A clean copy, on good thick paper, of an engraving, three versions of which are in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG D8332, NPG D8333, NPG D8334), where they are dated 1889, and described as being etched 'after a photograph originally published in the Pall Mall Gazette 'Grand Old Man' extra'. Dimensions of paper roughly nine inches by six, dimensions of image roughly five inches by four. Burton's signature is faintly etched at the foot of plate, and the print is docketed in pencil 'W E G' at the foot of the paper, with 'Burton 1/-' on reverse.

The Medical Guide; containing plain and simple directions for the treatment of the more common diseases.

Author: 
An Experienced Physician.
Publication details: 
Glasgow: Printed for the Booksellers, 1850.
£15.00

Disbound, 24 pages, 12mo, partly unopened, sl. damaged but no loss of text. Penny chapbook.

Autograph Postcard Signed to 'Mrs. Black'.

Author: 
Eliza Lynn Linton
Publication details: 
Postmarked 8 January 1891; 'Queen Annes Mansions. St James's Park SW.'
£56.00

Novelist and miscellaneous writer (1822-98). Dimensions roughly five inches by three. Grubby and with minor fraying, loss and closed tears to edges (not affecting text). Printed halfpenny stamp and two postmarks in black ink. Addressed to 'Mrs. Black | 5 Hazlitt Road | W. Kensington | W.' 'I have not received ye Ladies Pictorial, but fine - all very well done with great sympathy & tenderness & so well written - I have begun by informal LSaturdays - & shall be very glad to see you if you could come'. Signed 'E: Lynn Linton'.

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